Base-pin-staking machine



Dec. 2, 1930.

J. E. FERGUSON BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 110. 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR dffsnqusozv ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1930.

J. E. FERGUSON 1,783,706

BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 'zaz a OBBC c: eB

' INVENTOR d. E. FER q usou ATTOR E BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10. 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR d. E. FER quso/v ATTORNEY 1930- I J. E. FERGUSON 1,783,706

BASE PIN STAKING MAcHfNE Filed May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR J7 d.E.FERc;uso/v ATTORN EY Dec. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON I 1,783,706

BASE PIN STAKING; MACHINE F iled May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR J13. FE qusou ATTORNEY 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 2, 1930.

. 9 U I R E I V I\ L h B 3 IA MN m I a a V, N rn I F flu u 9 I II i v r I Z WI 3 .m W N m p III II 3 I c t I I. |I|IL.II l|| I ll IIII III I I II "N Id 8 M l P C I m M R R m I .a M M I A l 11 I m 3 :ATTORNEY De c. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON I BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR d.E.FERqusoN BY! 9 ATT% Dec. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON 1,733,706

' BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 253 ZBZ INVENTOR d.E.FERqusorv ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10. 1929 12. Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR d.E.FERqusoN ORN% Dec. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTOR d.E.FERqusoN 1930- J. E. FERGUSON 1,783,706

BASE PIN STAKING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929' l2. Sheets-Sheet ll ATTORNEY 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR LLEF/ERUSON ATTORN Dec. 2, 1930. J. E. FERGUSON BASE PIN STAKING'MACHINE Filed May 10, 1929 mwN wwN

Patented Dec. 2, 1930- UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE- JOHN E. FERGUSON, OF BLOOHFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSI'UNOB TO WESTINGHOUSE LAKE? COMZPANY, A CORPORATION OF IBENNSYLVANIA BASE-PIN-STAKING macnnvn Application filed May 10,

' This invention relates to the manufacture of electrical devices and relates more par-' tuclarly to operations performed on the base portions of radio tubes or the like.

In the manufacture of electrical devices. which employ a number of electrodes enclosed in a sealed glass container, the container is usually provided with what is termed, a base. This base is in the form of vm a cap and is secured by cement or otherwise to the neck portion of the bulb. Devolpments in the radio tube art have shown that satis% factory bases are obtained --by using a shell or cap of a suitable insulating composition;

When making a composition base it is necessary to provide the same with a plurality of projecting contact elements or pins. A plurality of pins are employed, four being shown iii the device selected for the purpose" of the present description. The pins are secured to the bottomwall of the base in a given space relation and project perpendic ularly therefrom. The contact elements or pins are usually of tubular" form and lead 5 wires or conductors extend from the electrodes within the device and are soldered or otherwise secured within the contact elements.

One of the problems encountered in the manufacture of a radio tube is to overcome certain hand operations and to provide au-' tomatic means to rapidly and effectively gnite the contact elements with a wall of the ase.

: Inasmuch as the composition base is formed by a molding operation it has been proposed to mold contact pins in the wall during the formation oi the base; however,

this operation involves certain complications-:1

40 and disadvantages which" are avoided by the present invention.

The development of the radio tube for popular use has resulted in the use of a. base em ploying contact pins of :two sizes, that is,

where four pins are employed two'adjacent pins are of relatively large diameter while the two remaining adjacent pins are of relatively small diameter. This construction has been, standardised n 5 order that the radio-tube when applied to a 1929. Serial No. 362,110.

socket will always be inserted in a given predetermined position. This makes it necessary to provide mechanism for handling contact pins of different diameters.

The present invention is therefore concerned with a method of securing contact pins I in the wall of a base after the same has been finishedand ready for attachment to a bulb, and it is an object of the present invention to provide mechanism for automatically see0 curing contact pins in the wall of a base.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide mechanism so co-related and arranged as to automatically secure contact pins in a base wall in a rapid and efiicient manner. as

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for handling contact pins of diiferent sizes and in applying such pins in a predetermined arrangement in a base.-

Another object of the invention is to provide means for securing a contact pin in a base in such manner as to hold the pin against rotary movement as well as endwise movement. p

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following description together with the accompanying drawings in which, I a

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing feeding mechanism to position pins to be secured 30 in bases.

Fig. 1a is a View of a pair of contact pins showing the two different sizes. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of mechanism for securing the positioned pins in bases.

Fig. 3, is 'a' side elevational view partly in section showing mechanism for feeding -con- ,tact pins of a given diameter to mechanism for securing the pins to bases.

Fig. 4 is a right hand end view of the upv per portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3.. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the guides shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view partly in section showing pin feeding mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail View showing-aportion of the pin lifting mechanisim.

Fig. 8is a side elevational view partly in section showing. the lower .end of thepin lco mechanism for moving a base to position over contact pins.

Fig. 14; is a detail view of cam mechanism for positioning a base over positioned contact nns.

I Fig. 15 is a front elevational view partly in section showing mechanism for staking or riveting contact pins in bases.

Fig. 16 is a view of the bottom s1de of a base with the contact pin secured thereto.

Fig. 17 shows a base with apertures therefore before the application of contact pins.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a base showing the operation of flaring the upper ends of the contact pins in a base.

Fig. 19 shows the final operation of staking or riveting the pins in the bases.

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the relative positins of the pin feeding, base positioning, staking and discharging elements.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view of a base feed and automatic stop mechanism.

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a contact p box used in connection with base ejecting mechanism.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the base feed and automatic stop mechanism showing cam members for actuating the saidmechanism.

Fig..24a is a detail fragmentary plan v1ew showing a portion of the conveyor with inner jets for blowing pins from recesses.

Fig. 25 is a side detail View of a part of the cam mechanism shown in Fig. 24, the housing being omitted.

Fig. 26 is a plan view showing base ejector mechanism.

Fig. 27 is a side elevational view of the ejector mechanism shown in Fig. 26.

Fig. 27a is a fragmentary view. of cam mechanism for actuating the base ejector mechanism.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary detail view of the ejector mechanism in position ready to eject a base.

v The present invention provides'mechanisms for automatically positioning a plurality of contact pins, which are designated generally beneath tools which operate to spread the upper edges of the pins and to rivet the spread edges over the wall of the base, after which the bases are moved adjacent to mechanism for ejecting the same from the machine. Means are also provided for'automatically preventing the bases from having an improper number of pins applied thereto.

Mechanism for accomplishing the above as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 20 may comprise the following primary mechanisms, a conveyor 25, a large pin feeding mechanism 26, a small pin feeding mechanism 27, base feeding mechanism 28, a riveting or staking Y mechanism 29 and a discharge mechanism 30.

The conveyor 25 may be suitably driven through any source of power (not shown) in a series of intermittent movements or stages. As shown, the conveyor may be of circular form and provided with sets of recesses or apertures 31 in spaced relation along its periphery. The recesses are of the proper dimensions for receiving contact pins (see Fig. 1a) which are of like shape and are indicated generally by the character OP; as shown, however, the pins are of different sizes and the small pin is more specifically indicated by the character SOP while LOP more specifically indicates the larger. size The pins are of tubular form with an annular shoulder 34 positioned intermediate the ends to provide a shank 35 and a relatively long c lindrical portion 36. I The shank 35 is o the proper dimension to extend through apertures 38', '39, 40' and 41 in a wall 37 of a base 38 (see Figs. 18 and 19) in such manner that the shoulder 34 engages the lower surface of the wall 37 and the end of the shank may be riveted over to secure the pin in position. The recesses 31 are, therefore, properly dimensioned, so as to receive the portions 36 of the pins OP, two of the apertures being arranged to receive the small pins SOP and two being arranged to receive the large ins LOP. The conveyor 25 may therefore e moved so as to dispose the pin receiving apertures successively in operative relation to the pin feeding mechanisms 26 and 27 and the spaced relation of the sets of apertures may be such that a set of apertures may be mechanism for feeding the two sizes of pins.

Although the contact pins OP are shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 1a as having of generally the same construction except 51 that the mechanism for feeding the larger pins is provided with a gauging device and is slightly more complicated than the small pin feed mechanism. The large pin feed mechanism will therefore be described first.

PIN FEEDING MECHANISM v Large pins The large pin feeding mechanism in cludes means for automaticall feeding the pins from a hopper 39 (see F igs. 1, 3 and 6). The hopper is suitably supported on the framework of the machine. Leading from the hopper and inclined downwardly therefrom is what may be termed a pair of initial guides 40. It will be understood that two pins are fed simultaneously from each of the pin feeding mechanisms and further that various parts of eachof these mechanisms are duplicated. The guides, therefore, which permit the passage of pins from both feeding mechanisms are alike and a description of one guide and its connecting elements to direct pins to the conveyor 25 will answer for bot Each guide consists ofa pair of parallel plates 41 and 42 so as to provide a slot 43 to receive portions 36 of the pins which are prevented from movement through the slot by reason of the shoulders 34.

Mechanism for adjusting the pins and feeding them to the slot 43 may comprise av pin carrier 44 reciprocable vertically in the hopper 39. The pin carrier is provided at its upper end with a slot 45 to receive a plurality of'pins and the upperedges 46 of the slot are inclined in accordance with the inclination of the guide 40. I

As the carrier 44 is moved through a quantity of pins promiscuously disposed in the hopper it picks up several of the ins, portions 36 of which enter the slot 45. t is necessary, however, to close the edge of the slot during the travel of the carrier and for this purpose a guard 47 is provided. The guard 47 is slidably attached to the carrier and at the lower end of the guard is provided a contact 48 which engages with a stop 49 so that when the carrier moves upwardly with a number of pins in the recess thereof the guard closes the recess until the stop 49 I engages the contact 48 and o 45 at the time it reaches a position to permit us the recess of spring clamping jaws 51.

the pins therein to slide down the guide 40.

For the purpose of again openin the guide the lower end thereof is provided with a projection 50 which, when the carrier is in its upward position, engages between a pair Thus as the carrier is moved downwardly the jaws 51 hold the guide 47 from movement until it reachesvits closed position after which the projection 50 slips from between the jaws In the present construction pneumatic mechanism is provided for reciprocating the carrier 44. This mechanism may comprise a cylinder 52 having therein a piston 55 connected to the lower end 56 of the carrier 44.

For the purpose of obtaining a reciprocating movement of the carrier a two way valve 57 is provided so that an actuation of the valve will alternately admit and discharge air through the pipes 53 and 54 or at opposite sides of the cylinder, admission of air through the pipes 53 causing the carrier 44 to descend and admission of air through the pip [es 54 causing, the carrier to ascend.

echanism for actuating the valve 57 may comprise a lever arm 58 extending therefrom and pivotally connected to a link 59, the said link being pivoted at 60 on an eccentric member 61 secured to a shaft62.

The shaft 62 is provided with a gear wheel 63 in mesh with a gear wheel 64 secured to shaft 65 supported in a bearing 66. Motion ma be transmitted to shaft 65'through a pair of bevel gears 67 and 68 secured to shaft 65 and a vertical shaft 69 respectively.- The vertical shaft 69 is driven by a worm and worm wheel transmission 70. The worm wheel being on a horizontal counter driving shaft 71 provided with a ear wheel 72 connected to a main drive om any suitable source of power (not shown).

A- rotation of the shaft 71 will therefore cause an actuation of the cam 61 which operates to actuate the two-way valve 57 thus causing a reciprocation of the piston 55 connected with the carrier 44. By means of the carrier 44 a continuoussupply of contact pins 34 is supplied to the inclined guide 40.

The pins travel down the guide to the lower end 73 thereof where a stop 74 is positioned. The stop 74 operates to close the ends of both inclined slots down which pins move by gravity and mechanism is provided for intermittently. removing the stop to release the ms. p This mechanism includes a. shiftable head 7 5 having a link 76'connected with one end of an arm 77; This arm is provided with a hub 7 8; secured to a rock-shaft 79 supported in bearings 80 and 81 depending from the framework ofthe machine.

The rock-shaft 79 is secured to a hub 82 of l I A member 86 secured on shaft 71. A rotation stop 74 at given intervals in accordance with the operation of themachine.

As pins drop off the end of the guides 40 they fall into a funnel 87 which leads them to position on horizontal guides 89'. The guides or slots 40 are so formed that in the event that small size pins are included with the lar e pins, both sizes will travel down the gui es.

This is acomplished by having the slots ofthe guides of such'dimensions as to prevent the shoulders from permitting the pins from dropping through the slots. The shoulders of the respective size pins are, however, of different dimensions, the shoulders of the smaller pins being of less diameter so that a gauge may be provided and when the pins pass from the inclined guides they may be pins separated and collected.

In the present construction (see Figs. 3 and 4) a gauge 89 is provided at the lower end of the funnel member 87 and if a pin of small size is carried down the incline it will drop through the gauge 89 and be deposited in a container 90.

Pins of proper size will remain on the horizontal guides 89 ready for discharge to the second inclined guide 90. Means for sliding pins over the horizontal guides may comprise push rods 92. At one side of the rods is a bearing 93 having a pin 93 and a link 94 pivotally connected to one side of the pin. This link is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 95 by a connector 96. The lever 95 is fulcrumed at 96" and its opposite end 97 is provided with a cam follower or pin 98 disposed in the slot of a barrel cam 99 secured to and rotatable with shaft 71. The cam track is so proportioned that a rotation thereof will cause an intermittent movement of the links 94. Motion is transmitted to the pushrods 92 by means of an arm 94 having one end secured to the pin 93 and the free end disposed in a recess 96 in a push rod. Thus as the cam 99 rotates a reciprocating movement is imparted to the push rods 92. When the horizontal guide becomes filled with pins each movement of the push rod moves the row of pins so that the outermost pin drops onto the inclined guide 90. Each movement of the push rod causes a pin to fall and travel down the guide 90 to position to be inserted in an aperture in the conveyor 25.

As above mentioned the several sets of apertures are arranged so that the proper diameter apertures will be positioned to receive the proper diameter pins.

subjected to a gauge and the small diameter The foregoing description relating to the pin-feed mechanism 26 was directed tov the mechanism which fed the large pins and a gau e was required to separate or remove any however, generally the same as the large pin I feed mechanism and includes the same construction of hopper with the pin carrier to deposit pins in inclined guides 100 (see Fig. 1). Mechanism the same as described for the large pin feed is provided and pins are intermittently fed to inclined guides 100. When feeding small pins the guides are made of a dimension just large enough to permit the admission of the small pins and if any large size pins happen to be included in the small pin hopper they will not go into the guide but will fall back into the hopper and can be later removed by hand when only a small quantity of pins remain.

It will thus be evident that by reason of the guides 90' on-the large pin feed and guides 100 on the small pin feed mechanism, pins of both sizes may be fed to positions for deposit into the pockets or recesses in the conveyor 25.

PIN POSITIONING MECHANISM This mechanism operates to remove a pin from a guide and applying it to a pocket or recess in the conveyor. Since the mechanism for the positioning of pins is the same for the large and small pins 2. description of one such mechanism will answer for both.

,This mechanism is more clearly shown in Figs. 6, 8, 10 and 11 which shows lower ends 102 and 103 of the pair of guides 90' which deliver pins GP to be positioned. Plungers 104 and 105 are disposed at the ends of each of the guides. The plungers move across the paths of the guides and engage pins as they are released from the slots of the guides. The mechanism for each plunger is similar in construction and a description of one will answer for both.

Considering plunger 104 the same is provided with an extenslon 106 disposed between jaws 107 and 108 at the end of an arm 109 of a bell-crank member 110. The bell crank is pivoted at 111 and the opposite arm 112 thereof is pivotally connected to one end of a pull-rod 113 the opposite end of the said rod being pivotally attached at 114 to a slide plate 115. (See Figs. 6 and 8.) Consideri n pullrod 113 the slide plate 115 is provide with a vertical pin 116 disposed in a slot 117 of a camemember 118 mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft 69 whereby a rotation of the cam is effected and an actuation of the bell-crank is caused to reciprocate the push-rod 104. For the purpose of prevent- 7 ing too much stress upon the pins'CP and to allow for the arcuate movement of the arm 109, the jaw 108 is free to move but is tensionally retained by a spring 117' connected to a projection 118 integral with the jaw 108 and to a stationary portion of the machine.

as a whole by the numeral 120. This guide is composed of a block having sections or parts 121 and 122 held in close tensional relation by a helical spring 123 disposed on an adjustable rod 124. The rod passes through the parts 121'and 122 and engages a threaded aperture 125 in a cross-head 125 of the machine.

At the sides of the rod 124 are provided apertures or passages 126 and 127 to receive pins CP which passages are divided longitudinally by the division of the block 120. The division formed between the blocks permits the passages to be enlarged by unscrewmg the rod 124. Thus if a contact pin is slightly irregular or bent and becomes ammed it may readily be released and rei h f 1 1 i or t e purpose 0 comp ete y ali ing the passages 126 and 127 with contact-pill receiving apertures in the conveyor, the cross head 125 moves to position over the pin receiving apertures. The cross head is carried on a vertical rod 130 having an annular shoulder 131 which supports the cross head 125'. A helical spring 132 disposed between the upper surface of the cross head and a collar 133 on the upper end of the rod 130 holds the cross head tensionally against theshoulder 131. Thus when the cross head 125' is moved down wardly and its lower surface 134 engages the conveyor, the spring 132 is compressed making a resilient contact between the cross head and the surface of the conveyor adjacent to the recesses 31 therein which receive the pins P. By reason of the spring 132 a cam (to be later described) for actuatin the cross head may vary slightly in its stro e since the spring takes up any lost motion.

.When pins are moved from the guides 102 and 103 to position over the passages 126 and 127 by the push rods 104 and 105 the said pins drop into their respective passages in the cross head and fall therethrough .until the shoulders on the pins en age ball stops 135.

These stops project into t e passages and are.

held in their projectingpositions by springs 136. The plungers 128 and'129 then descend and as their lower ends engage the pins the cross head 125' begins to descend. The cross head moves until it seats upon' the conveyor aligning the passages therein with the-fpin rwessesBl. a

The plungers however continue to move until the pins are forced past the tension stops 135 and until the portions 36 of the pins enter the'recesses and the shoulders of the pins contact with the upper erimeter of the recesses. It will be evident t at the pin recesses may be formed of hardened, inserts or bushings so as to withstand wear during the subsequent operations of riveting thepms to the bases.

The mechanism for actuating thecross head may, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, comprise a pair of springs 137 and 138 having ends secured to the lower end 139 of the rod 130 and to the framework of the machine, thusthe cross head 125' is normallyfirged to a ralsed position. Astrzp ment of the sai cross head.

A downward movement of the rod 130 and consequently the cross head 125 is effected b 3 1 141' suitably, connected to other operating ele- The cam 140' is armeans of a cam 140' secured to a counter sha ments of'the machine. ranged to en age a cam lip 142 secured to the 140 limits the upward moverod 130 so t at as the cam 140 rotates the rod 130 will carry the cross head downwardly to align the'pins GP for entrance to their recesses in the conveyor. As above set forth the cross head is tensionally held in proper relation to the conveyor by the spring 132 which allows for additional downward movement of the rod 130 after the cross head has reached its final position. 7

By means of the above described mechanism pins CP will be disposed in thelr recesses with the shanks 35 disposed upperward ready to enter apertures in the bottom wall of bases or shells so as to be secured thereto by a riveting or staking operation. Although the mechanism just described operates to position one pair of pins it will be understood that similar mechanism is provided at the terminals of each pair of the inclined guides 90 and g large and small pins so that with eac intermittent movement of the conveyor a full set of pins is ready for the apphcatlon to a base.

BASE FEEDING Mnormmsm The bases for receiving pins CP are provided with the suitably positioned apertures 38', 39' 40' and 41' '(see Fig. 17 in the bottom walls and the disposition o the pm in the recesses in the conveyor is so arranged that a base ma be moved over and. down upon the positione pins until the shanks 35 thereof enter the apertures and the lower surface of the wall of the base is \smed ag ns ,h

shoulders 34 of the pins. Since it is desired to have the portions 36 of the pins project from the bottom walls of the bases the said bases are so applied to the pins that the shanks thereof enter from the exterior and project into the bases.

The present machine is provided with basefeeding mechanism 145 (see Figs. 12, 13 and 14) including an inclined guide or chute 146 of tubular form so proportioned as to give a slidin fit to bases 38 w ich may be fed to the chute y hand. As the bases are applied to an open end 147 of the chute the side pins 148 of the bases are guided into a slot 149 so that as the bases move by gravity down a vertical portion 151 of the chute they will all have the same relative positions and the apertures 38',

39', 40 and 41' into which the pins are in-' serted will be in the right positions to receive the pins when a base is applied thereto.

When a base has reached the end, of the vertical guide 151 it is in position to be moved to position over a set of pins positioned on the conveyor. Means for adjusting the base may comprise a slide member 152 including a plate 153 having a concave portion 154 and a tension finger 155. The concave portion in conjunction with the finger 155 provides a temporary gripper member and as the slide member is moved to position the gripper member beneath the vertical chute 151 a base is guided into the gripper member The arcuate portion 154 is provided with a notch 156 to receive the side pin 148 to maintain the base in the desired relative position. The gripper member may then be moved so that the base is carried from the chute 151 to position over the positioned contact pins at which time a plunger 157 descends and presses the base downwardly until it seats on the conveyor 25 and the shanks 35 of the pins GP are inserted into the apertures provided in the base. The

' plunger may then be lifted to clear the base ceive another base.

and the slide-member may be retracted. Since the base is held by the pins OP on the conveyor the tension finger 155 will be opened by contact with the base and the same will be released from the gripper member, as this member is returned to position to re- When the said member is in its forward position to dispose a base to receive the contact pins the plate 153 serves to hold the remaining bases from downward movement in the chute 151 but in slidable relation so that when the gripper member is retracted a base will fall into position in the arcuate opening 154 for movement to position over pins positioned on the conveyor.

Mechanism 152 may comprise a barrel cam 158' (see Fig. 14) secured to shaft 159 which may be driven through mechanical connection with other operating parts of the machine. It has been for actuating the slide member found preferable however, to drive the shaft 159 by means of a separate motor (not shown). The cam 158 is provided with a groove 161 in which an end 162 of a lever member 163 is dis osed. The said lever is pivotally supported on a bracket 164 and its oppositeend 165 is pivotally connected with a link 166 rockably connected. at 167 to an arm 168 integral with the plate 152. A rotation of the cam 158 will by reason of the lever 163 and link 166 cause a reciprocating movement of the plate 152 and the formation and speed of the cam may be such as to operate lifter rod 17 0' and, having upper and lower contact rollers 171 and 1 with the said cam.

The plunger 157 is movable in a slotted guide sleeve 175 and the said plunger has an offset collar 176 integral therewith and secured to the rod 170 so that a reciprocation of the rod 17 0' will impart a similar motion to the plunger 157. For the purpose of providing a cushion action of the plunger when it engages a base the plunger is provided with a spring 177 disposed between a shoulder 178 on the plunger and the lower end of the guide sleeve 175.

The plunger being free to move within the sleeve is limited in its downward movement by lock nuts 179 which engage the upper end of the sleeve. Thus when the lifter rod 170' brings the plunger down to press contact pins into apertures of a base the action is\semi-positive by reason of the spring 177. The end of the plunger 157 is provided with a reduced portion 181 to enter the base and a flange 182 which engages the upper edge of the base to move it so that the contact pins will enter the provided apertures. The lifter rod 17 0' is movable in bearings 183 and 184 (see Fig. 12) provided in a bearing bracket 185 secured to the framework of the machine.

In addition to actuation of the plunger 157 the lifter rod 170' has an additional function and is provided with a lifter arm 186 which extends across and above the lower ends of the inclined guides 90 and 100 (see Fig. 1). The said arm carries the plungers 128 and 129 whih thrust the pins CP into the split'block 120. These plungers extend throu h the arm 186 and through a cross-piece 18% carried on posts 188; the post being mounted on the arm 186. Springs 189 are disposed on the plungers between the cross-piece and the arm so that as the arm moves the plungers downwardly they'ofi'er resilient contact with the pins GP to force for engagement of the plungers 128 and 129 is caused by a rotation of the cam 169. For the purpose of holding the arm 186 from'lateral movement, a guide rod 190 is provided which rod is secured to the arm 186 and is free to move'vertically in a bearing 191. I

The foregoing description sets forth means'for feeding bases and shows the cooperation between the base feeding mechanism and the pin positioning mechanism.

BASE FEED CONTROL When applying pins to the conveyor it may happen that all the recesses do not have pins therein so that a base may have only three or a lesser number of pinstherein than required. For the pur ose of preventing the staking of an insuificient number of pins in a base means are provided whereby this condition is, detected and the base feeding mechanism is so controlled as to prevent the disposition of a base upon the wrong number of positioned pins.

Mechanism for accomplishing the above may comprise as shown inFigs. 21, 22, 23 and 24 a stop-finger 192 (see Fig. 21) pivoted at 193 on a bearing 194 secured to the framework of the machine and adjacent to the lower end of the vertical guide 151. The stop-finger is movable through a slot 192' in the said guide to engage the lowermost base and prevent the same from movement onto the plate 152 for movement over the positioned pins CR. As shown in Fig. 21 the finger 192 is normally positioned to prevent bases from passing from the guide 151. For the purpose of moving the said finger the same is provided with an ear 194' pivotally connected at 195 with one end of a link 196.

The opposite end of the link is pivotally connected with an end 197 of an armature 198 movable in a coil 199 which coil may be suitably supported on the framework of the machine. The end 197 of the armature is pivotally connected with end of a link 200 having its opposite end pivoted in a stationary bearing 201. Thus a movement of the armature in the direction of arrow A will cause an oscillation of the finger 192 to move the finger to position to prevent the outlet" of a base. A movement of the armature in this direction-is caused by a projection 202 extending from the armature and in the path of movement of a pin 203 on the plate 152 which carries the tension finger 155. I

As the plate 152 moves the pin 203 engages the projection 202 and no bases will be fed since the number of pins in the recesses about to be moved to receive a base, control the armature 198 and consequently the mecha tector contacts 206, 207, 208 and 209 are employed. These contacts are carried in a head. 210 movable in the box 205 and the ends of the contacts extend through a lower wall 211 of the box 205. The head 210 is provided with a projecting adjustable stop member 213 and the box 205 is so, positioned on themachine that the stop member 213 is engaged by the projection 17 6 movable with the plunger 157.

The box 205 is so arranged that the contacts 206, 207, 208 and 209 are in vertical alignment with and normally above a set of recesses in the conveyor 25 in which the pins CP are positioned tionary.

Thus when the plunger 157 moves downwardly to position a base over a set of pins the pro'ection 176 engages the stop member 213 an engage with the four positioned pins CP.

when the conveyor is stathe detector-contacts are moved to If the proper number of pins have been supplied all the detector contacts will be moved to close a circuit (not shown) for the passage of electrical energy through the coil 199. VVhereupon the armature will move in the direction of the arrow B actuating the stop finger 192 and permitting a base to drop onto the slide plate 152. Thus when the slide plate is given its full operation the base will be moved to position over the four positioned pins which by this time will have moved'with the conveyor 25 to position to be applied to the base.

If less than four or the proper number of pinsCP have been positioned all the detector contacts will not operate and the circuit including the coil or solenoid 199 will not be energized and the stop-finger 192 will remain If an improper number of pins have been/ inserted in the recess it will be evident as above set forth, that no base will be applied thereto. It is necessary, however, to remove these pins from the recesses before they reach the staking or riveting mechanism, to be later described. Any suitable mechanical means may be employed for removing the pins. It has been found in practice, however, that the pins may be removed by roviding a plurality of air jets 203', one et bein aligned. beneath each of the recesses 31. conveyor is in a stationary position, air under pressure may be admitted through an air pipe en the 201' from any suitable source, (not shown). The apertures 31 extend through the conveyor and the air jets operate continuously. If the right number of pins are inserted in the apertures and a base is applied thereto, a stop arm 202 engages the base, thus preventing the same from being blown off the conveyor, the base and pins passing from beneath the stop arm upon the next movement of the conveyor. By reason of the air jets any set of recesses, not provided with the proper number of pins will consequently not ave any base applied thereto and the pins will therefore be discharged. 1

PIN STAKING MECHANISM After a base has been supplied with pins it is moved to position under a staking head 29. This head is provided with two sets of tools, first initial tools or splitting punches 220 (see Fi s. 15, 18 and 19) and staking or riveting too s 221. The sets of tools are so arranged that a pair of bases with pins therein may be positioned beneath the tools which operate simultaneously so that with each actuation of the staking mechanism the pins are split and staked in two bases.

The staking mechanism comprises a bracket 222 secured to a suitable stationar support 223 adjacent to the conveyor 25. he splitting punches 220 are formed'with four flat sides tapering to a point and are held in a punch holder 224 and retained in place by a retainer plate 225 secured by a tap bolt 226. The staking punches 221 are held in a holder 227 in the same manner as are the punches 220. The splitting tools 220 divide the shanks of the pins into four prongs 200'. The final or staking tools 221 are of cylindrical form with a beveled annular shoulder 221 so that the prongs 200' are bent over and disposed in radial recesses 222 formed in the bases and adjacent to the pin receiving apertures thereof. Thus when a pin has been finally staked the prongs lying in the radial recesses retain the pin and hold it from rotation and becoming loose. The holders 224 and 227 may be suitably secured to the lower ends of plungers 228 and 229 respectively. The plungers 228 and 229 may be of angular transverse crosssection and movable vertically in guide bearin s 230 and 231.

he plungers are moved downwardly through the action of a cam 232 on a counter shaft 233 journaled in bearings 234 and 235 integral with the bracket 222. Each plunger may have an adjustable contact in the form of a threaded plug 236 for engagement with the cam 232. For the purpose of effecting a return stroke of the plungers 228 and 229 they are provided with return rods 237 and 238 respectively attached to a yoke having extensions 239 and 240 mounted loosely on the shaft 233.

The yoke is of duplex construction and a cam 241 is provided on shaft 233 for engaging a cross-piece or roller 242 attached to an extending between the saidextensions of the yokes. A rotation of the cam 241 will therefore cause an upward movement of the return rods 237 and 238. Their downward movement with the plungers 228 and 229 is effected by means of offset couplings 242' and 243 secured to the plungers.

Means for rotating the shaft 233 for causing an actuation of the plungers and return rods is effected by means of a gear wheel 243" secured to the shaft 233 and in mesh with a gear wheel 244 secured to a counter driving shaft 245 suitably mounted in bearings in the bracket 222. The shaft 245 is provided with a bevel gear 246 in mesh with a bevel gear 247 on a vertical shaft 248 which shaft may be driven from the main driving source (not shown).

' Emcroa MECHANISM After the pins have been staked in a base the conveyor 25 moves, bringing the staked in bases adjacent to ejector mechanism. This: mechanism may comprise a lifter rod 250 (see Figs. 26, 27 27 a and 28) which is reciprocal vertically to actuate means for lifting the bases and for discharging them from the conveyor.

The lifter rod is provided with stripper members 251 and 252 extending from a head 253 having a hub 254 secured to the upper end of the rod.

The lifter rod is movable in a guide hearing 255 and the lower end of the rod may be provided with a cam follower'256 (see Fig. 27a) for engagement with a slotted cam 257 secured to shaft 258. The shaft may be suitably connected. with the driving mechanism of the machine so as to actuate the lifter rod 250 intimed relation with the movement of the conveyor 25. The stripper members 251 and 252 are so positioned as to be disposed beneath the lower edges of a base when the conveyor is stationary the bases being posino tioned on a round seat 258' so that they are raised to provide suflicient space to admit the stripper members.

As the lifter rod rises the base is lifted so that the pins thereof clear their apertures. When so held means in the form of an impact lever 259 is actuated to strike the base and project it into a suitably positioned chute 260 for deposit in a hopper 261. The member 259 is secured to a shaft 260' rotatable in a bearing 262 mounted on the head 253. One end 263 of the shaft is provided with an arm 264 connected with one end of a spring 265, the opposite end of the spring being connected to member'251.

The spring 265 acts to drive the impact member 259 and means in the form of a cam 266 and a trigger 267 e provided to normally expand the spring so that when rer30 

